Phillies announce Burnett deal

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 08: A.J. Burnett #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates smashes a pie in the face of teammate Russell Martin #55 after hitting the game-winning RBI in the tenth inning against the Miami Marlins during the game on August 8, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)(Photo: Justin K. Aller Getty Images)

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Five days after the news leaked, A.J. Burnett is officially a Phillie.

The team announced the signing Sunday morning, which is for one-year and $16 million. The kicker is a mutual/player option for 2015 and a limited no-trade clause. There are also performance and award bonuses.

"To be able to add a pitcher of A.J.'s caliber at this time of year says a lot about our ownership group's commitment to winning," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "A.J. will complement Cole and Cliff in our rotation and adds another experienced arm to our team."

To make room on the 40-man roster, reliever Joe Savery was designated for assignment.

You can read more about Burnett's addition to the club here. Burnett, should he pitch like he has the last two seasons, will be invaluable to a rotation that lacks depth after Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. Also, with Burnett's addition, the Phillies are further protected as they let Hamels work out injury issues.

Burnett will wear No. 34, worn by Roy Halladay the last four seasons.

Savery, a former first-round pick of the Phillies, will go on waivers. If he's not claimed, he can return to the organization. He appeared in 18 games in 2013, posting a 3.15 ERA (20 innings pitched)